Tuesday 24 March 2015 18:35, UK
Charlie Nicholas says Arsenal are better placed than Manchester City to pounce on any Chelsea slip-ups in the title race.
Arsenal are currently third in the Premier League and trail Jose Mourinho's league leaders by seven points having played a game more.
But after six wins in a row, Arsene Wenger’s men are top of the Premier League form table and Sky Sports pundit Nicholas says the clash with Chelsea at the Emirates at the end of April could prove crucial.
"They have to be more ambitious than settling for the top three," Nicholas told Sky Sports.
"You can only take every game as it comes now. Liverpool are up next and if Arsenal can take three points there that’ll be them out of sight.
"That would pretty much guarantee a top-four finish for Arsenal. Liverpool have to come and win and that might work in Arsenal’s favour.
<a href="http://www.skybet.com/football/premier-league/event/16379533?aff=9713&dcmp=ss_betlink_editCharlieontitlerace">"If Chelsea do slip up, Arsenal are the team with the momentum right now, not Manchester City."</a>
"But Arsenal can’t stop at that, they have to strive for the league title. They’re not contenders right now, but you have to be ready in case Chelsea slip up.
"All it takes is a couple of draws from Chelsea for an opportunity to arise, and Arsenal have Chelsea at home still to come."
Arsenal fought out a 2-1 win at Newcastle on Saturday and are now just one point behind defending champions Manchester City.
After nine wins in their last 10 Premier League games, Nicholas says the momentum is with his former club.
He said: "I sensed at full-time at Newcastle that there was belief there, there was an attitude that said ‘we’re ready’.
"And if Chelsea do slip up, Arsenal are the team with the momentum right now, not Manchester City.
"So, let’s go for second at the very least, and if Chelsea wobble then let’s take advantage of them, that’s what Arsenal can do."
European Qualifiers: Charlie Nicholas backs wins for England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, plus draws for Wales and Republic of Ireland this weekend at odds of over 26/1 with Sky Bet.
